Kentwood Players Announces Open Auditions For THE GIVER

Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for THE GIVER, adapted for the stage by Eric Coble, based on the Newberry Award-winning book by Lois Lowry. This is a non-equity, non-paid production directed by Harold Dershimer and produced by Kathy Dershimer for Kentwood Players with rights secured from The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.

Life in the community where THE GIVER and Jonas live is idyllic. Designated birthmothers produce new children, who are assigned to appropriate family units: one male, one female, to each. Citizens are assigned their partners and their jobs and no one thinks to ask questions. Everyone obeys. The community is a precisely choreographed world without conflict, inequality, divorce, unemployment, injustice...or choice. Join us for this multi-media presentation as we follow Jonas' journey filled with heightened sensory experiences from a place of sameness... to elsewhere.

WHEN: Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 11:00am to 3:00pm and on Sunday, November 17 from 6:00 to 9:00pm. Those auditioning are encouraged to arrive and sign-in within the first hour of auditions. Call backs will be Monday, November 18 at 7:00pm by appointment only. Performance dates are January 17 - February 22, 2020 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. Additional weekday performances may be added to accommodate school groups throughout the run, dates to be determined. THE GIVER opens during the actual month of Kentwood Players' 70th Anniversary, kicking off the group's year-long celebration.

WHERE: Auditions and performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.

HOW: Those auditioning are asked to please bring a current headshot and resume as well as your calendar, as a rehearsal schedule will be posted at auditions and you will be asked to note any conflicts. Additional school group dates will also be announced. It is highly recommended that those auditioning become familiar with the characters by reading the play AND the book before auditions. We will have sides available for the auditions. If you would like a copy of the script being used for this production or have any questions or concerns, please contact the production team at TheGiver@kentwoodplayers.org.

PARENTAL NOTE: Jonas' journey takes him from childhood to adulthood. He experiences his "stirrings" while fantasizing about his friend, Fiona. Be advised that these themes will be explored. Parents are welcome to attend all rehearsals.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

Kentwood Players is committed to diverse, inclusive casting. All ethnicities, races, and gender identities are encouraged to audition and will be considered for every part.

Jonas - (10-15 to play 11-12) The eleven-year-old protagonist of The Giver, Jonas is sensitive and intelligent, with strange powers of perception that he doesn't understand. Jonas is "chosen" to be the new Receiver of Memory for his community when he turns twelve. Even before his training, Jonas is unusually thoughtful, expresses great concern for his friends and family, and thinks it would be nice to be closer to other people. After his training begins, Jonas's universe widens dramatically. His new awareness of strong emotions, beautiful colors, and great suffering makes him extremely passionate about the world around him and the welfare of the people he loves, though on the whole he remains level-headed and thoughtful. (MAY BE DOUBLE-CAST)

The Giver - (55-70) The old man known in the community as the Receiver of Memory is actually The Giver. He has held the community's collective memory for many years and uses his wisdom to help the Committee of Elders make important decisions, even though he is racked by the pain his memories give him and believes that perhaps those memories belong in the minds of everyone in the community.

Jonas' Father - (35-50) A mild-mannered, tender-hearted Nurturer who works with infants. He enjoys his job and takes it very seriously, constantly trying to nurture children who will stay alive until the Ceremony of Names. However, even if he is attached to a child, he will release it if that seems to be the best decision. He has an affectionate, playful relationship with his two children, usually referring to them by silly nicknames, and he likes playing childish games with the children he nurtures.

Jonas' Mother - (35-50) A practical, pleasant woman with an important position at the Department of Justice - Jonas's mother takes her work seriously, hoping to help people (including her assigned children) who break rules to see the error of their ways. She frequently gives Jonas advice about the worries and fears he faces as he matures.

Lily - (8-11 to play 7) Jonas's seven-year-old sister. She is a chatterbox and does not know quite when to keep her mouth shut, but she is also extremely practical and well-informed for a little girl. (MAY BE DOUBLE-CAST)

Asher - (10-15 to play 11-12) Jonas' best friend. Asher is a fun-loving, hasty boy who usually speaks too fast, mixing up his words to the exasperation of his teachers and Jonas. He is assigned the position of Assistant Director of Recreation. (MAY BE DOUBLE-CAST)

Fiona - (10-15 to play 11-12) Another of Jonas' friends. She volunteers as a caretaker in the house of old. She is mild-mannered and patient. Jonas's first sexual stirrings come in the form of an erotic dream about Fiona. (MAY BE DOUBLE-CAST)

Larissa - (60-80) - An elderly woman residing in the house of old. Jonas shares pleasant conversation with her while he gives her a bath during his volunteer hours. Like many inhabitants of the House of the Old, she enjoys gossip and looks forward to her release.

The Chief Elder - (Gender open - 30-60) the elected leader of Jonas's community. The Elder also shows genuine affection for all of the children at the Ceremony of Twelve, knowing their names as well as an anecdote about each. (WILL ALSO SERVE AS THE ANNOUNCER)

For more information about Kentwood Players including our current production and upcoming auditions, please visit the Kentwood Players website at www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players information on Facebook and Twitter.

To meet THE GIVER production team and learn more about Kentwood Players, the public is invited to attend our general membership meetings, which are free and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 pm at the Westchester Playhouse located two blocks west of the San Diego Freeway and two blocks north of Manchester at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.

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